2016 Chevrolet Trax Safety Report
2016 Chevrolet Trax Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Chevrolet Trax. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (111) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 11 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Chevrolet Trax with 20 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Chevrolet Trax before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Trax Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Trax years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Trax | 107 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Trax | 94 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax | 95 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Trax | 129 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Trax | 83 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Trax | 20 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Chevrolet Trax Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Chevrolet Trax, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlySteering
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System,Engine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
Reliability Score
The 2016 Chevrolet Trax receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags Front airbags have been recalled due to potential failure, posing a significant safety risk. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Recalls for electrical system software issues have been reported, affecting the vehicle's overall performance and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Turbocharger Turbocharger failures have led to dangerous driving conditions, including inconsistent acceleration and turbulence. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension Lower ball joint issues in the front suspension have been reported, potentially leading to loss of control. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Trax:
Issues with the turbocharger and engine performance are common.
Problems with the electrical system, including software and radio issues, are frequent.
Front airbags have been recalled due to potential failure.
Lower ball joint issues in the front suspension are common.
Recall Details for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
Consequence: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may ...
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC custom...
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing...
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC cust...
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protect...
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114...
Consequence: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17130.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Trax with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
I have had replaced the valve cover 4 times already about ever 3 months or so and it is starting to chirp and act up by lagging and jumping on acceleration. My mother is [XXX] old and does not drive it hard or in excess. The 1st was in summer of 2024 the 2nd was December 2024 3rd was april 2025 4th November 2025 and it just started chirping again & its jyst now February. This is absolutely ridic...
I have replaced five catalytic converters since I have owned this vehicle. Please advise.
This site is useless. There are so many complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax on here, but yet nobody is doing anything about it! I believe it is a severe safety hazard for all vehicles on the highway when a vehicle loses power without warning , whether it is on the interstate, or a residential street! But I guess the manufacturer does not think it's a safety hazard, but apparently if your ve...
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and an oil change was perform...
We have had problems with this vehicle since we purchased it 2yrs ago. It started with loosing power once in awhile, then the AC quit working, both sets of keys have lost the buttons on the keypad, we have to manually lock and unlock the doors and the auto start is unusable, and now it stalls out at a speed above 30mph and starts smoking severely. It is not drivable. I have to pull over every 2 to...
I purchased my vehicle on January 6, 2025. Two days later, the check engine light came on. After struggling to reach anyone at the dealership, I finally got in touch on January 14, and dropped the car off on January 22 for a catalytic converter and A/C issue. On February 23, the check engine light returned with the same code. I brought the car back on March 7, and by May, the light came on again a...
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while her niece was driving 40 MPH, she became aware there was coolant leaking from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was drivable until arriving at the residence. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir and became aware there was coolant leaking on the driveway....
My 2016 chevy Trax has had 4 replacement of the the thermostat housing assembly with sensor. It causes the engine light to come on and can make the car idle rough, die at a red light, can cause the car to suddenly just go to 5 miles an hour. I have 79,900 miles on this chevy trax and this is the 4th replacement in less then 2 or 3 month.
The air bag light randomly came on about two yeatago and never went off. The engine(turbo) has been having problems for two years now. I’ve been to the dealership several times over the year. I was almost hit by another vehicle because of slow take off
2016 Chevrolet Trax experienced turbocharger failure in June 2024. Initial minor acceleration inconsistencies progressed to dangerous turbulence and power loss during acceleration at both high and low speeds, with check engine light temporarily illuminating. Initial Firestone diagnostic (June 7) documented 'TURBULENCE AS ACCELERATES - CEL BLINKED.' After diagnosis, completed repair June 11. Search...
Seat Belt clips are not present, they have been cut out of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the key fob failed to unlock or lock the rear driver’s side and rear passenger’s side doors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V422000 (Electrical System, Equipment) or 16V257000 (Equipment, Electrical System). The...
Turbo has gone out and vehicle won't accelerate
The paint is peeling on the 2016 Chevy Trax. When I looked up the issue, I noticed tons of people had complaints about the same paint color for their Chevy Trax. When they called GM about it GM said they didn’t get any complaints about it and made excuses. There is a pending lawsuit from lawyers based in Florida. I’m calling that number next. I went to the car wash, and when I came out from washin...
I noticed there are 5 recalls on the yr make and model of my suv and I need it fixed plz
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while his wife was seated in the front passenger’s side seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light indicated that the air bag system was turned off and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified ...
I discovered lubricant leaking from the rear differential. After a quick check for recalls. there are none for this. I did find that GM has a special service notice for this issue for vehicles located in Canada. Apparently, what happen is there are pockets in the casting of the unit that hold road debris & road salt that will cause the case to corrode and leak. The vehicle was taken to my local Ch...
11/12/2023 Loss of power when driving up a hill.- felt some backwards drift. 11/13-14/2023 Shuttering vibration and engine revving during acceleration but no forward movement. 11/15/2023 Total power loss when attempting to merge with traffic.
My 2016 Chevrolet Trax experienced loss of power while driving on the highway. I experienced moments where it would not accelerate. This put myself and other drivers at risk due to the random loss of power. There was no warning there was any issue with the vehicle prior to this event. In addition, I have experienced A/C failure. I have had this inspected and multiple components replaced by a servi...
Passenger side air bag light does not indicate that the airbag is on. This happens very often when you sit in the passenger seat and fasten the seat belt. This has been happening for several weeks.
Showing 20 of 111 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
Has the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
The 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX has 111 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 9 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX involve engine (16 complaints), air bags (9 complaints), steering (8 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, power train, electrical system,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
There are 9 crash reports associated with the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX out of 111 total complaints (8.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX out of 111 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX is acceptable with caveats. It has 111 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX are: 1. ENGINE (16 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (9 complaints), 3. STEERING (8 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (6 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 16 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Be cautious of airbag and electrical system recalls, and consider the frequent issues with the turbocharger and suspension. The 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX has 111 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
The 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 111 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 11 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX?
Known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX include: Airbags, Electrical System, Turbocharger, Suspension. These are based on patterns found across 111 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
Yes, there are recalls for front airbags and electrical system software issues.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
Common issues include engine problems, particularly with the turbocharger, and electrical system failures.
Are there any known issues with the suspension of the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
Yes, lower ball joint issues in the front suspension have been reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of airbag and electrical system recalls, and consider the frequent issues with the turbocharger and suspension.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Chevrolet Trax
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The data includes 111 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Chevrolet Trax an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14